University Of Witwatersrand Holidays, the information provided below are the academic calendar and holiday for University Of Witwatersrand

2019

Activity Dates
Registration Monday 07 January – Thursday 31 January (19 days)
Orientation week Monday 28 January – Friday 01 February (5 days)
First teaching block Monday 04 February – Wednesday 20 March (33 days)
Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research break Thursday 21 March – Sunday 31 March (11 days)
Second teaching block Monday 01 April – Friday 17 May (32 days)
Study Break
Examinations
Saturday 18 May – Sunday 26 May (10 days)
Monday 27 May – Monday 24 June (20 days)
Winter Vacation/Study/Research break Tuesday 25 June – Sunday 14 July (20 days)
Third teaching block Monday 15 July –  Friday 30 August (34 days)
Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research break Saturday 31 August – Sunday 08 September (9 days)
Fourth teaching block Monday 09 September – Tuesday 22 October (31 days)
Study Break
Examinations
Wednesday 23 October – Sunday 27 October (5 days)
Monday 28 October – Friday 22 November (20 days)
Summer Vacation/Study/Research break Saturday 23 November

Please note:

  • The Faculty of Health Sciences’ term dates differ from those of the University and they may commence with lectures as early as the first working day in January.
  • Consult the University’s website for more detailed information about dates of registration for different cohorts of students

Public and religious holidays/holydays recognised by the University in 2019

Date Name of holiday University status
Tuesday 1 January New Year’s Day University closed
Thursday 21 March Human Rights Day University closed
Friday 19 April Good Friday University closed
Saturday 20 April Passover (Pesach) day 1**  
Sunday 21 April Passover (Pesach) day 2**  
Monday 22 April Family Day University closed
Friday 26 April Passover (Pesach) day 7**  
Saturday 27 April Freedom Day University closed
  Passover (Pesach) day 8**  
Wednesday 1 May Workers’ Day University closed
Monday 06 May 1st Ramadaan (Commencement of Fasting) *  
Wednesday 05 June Eid-ul-Fitr (Termination of Fasting) *  
Sunday 09 June Shavuoth (day 1)**  
Monday 10 June Shavuoth (day 2) **  
Sunday 16 June Youth Day University closed
Monday 17 June Public Holiday University closed
Friday 9 August National Women’s Day University closed
Monday 12 August Eid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice) *  
Tuesday 24 September Heritage Day University closed
Monday 30 September Rosh Hashanah (day 1) **  
Tuesday 01 October Rosh Hashanah (day 2) **  
Wednesday 09 October Yom Kippur **  
Monday 14 October Sukkot (day 1) **  
Monday 15 October Sukkot (day 2) **  
Monday 21 October Sh’mini Atzeret**  
Tuesday 22 October Simchat Torah**  
Saturday 26 October Narak Chaturdashi (Diwali-South)  
Sunday 27 October Luxmi Pooja (Diwali-North)  
Monday 16 December Day of Reconciliation University closed
Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day University closed
Thursday 26 December Day of Goodwill University closed

* = Islamic Holy Day – commences the previous evening; exact date depends on sighting of new moon
** = Jewish Holy Day – commences the previous evening
Please note:
 
No exam will be scheduled on a recognised University holiday/holyday.
Proposed Public School Term Dates in 2019

All Provinces
Term 1 09 January – 15 March
Term 2 02 April – 14 June
Term 3 09 July – 20 September
Term 4 01 October – 04 December